Cordless illumination apparatus

ABSTRACT

Illumination apparatus utilizing a removable and rechargable battery to eliminate the requirement for electrical outlets and to eliminate exposed electrical cords in providing illumination for pictures and other works of art. The apparatus includes a vertical mounting bracket and a source of illumination. A battery is received within the horizontal support for said source of illumination to maximize the volume available for batteries without detracting from the overall appearance of the apparatus. The source of illumination is angularly disposed to direct light downwardly and inwardly toward the vertical mounting surface and the picture or other work of art.

United States Patent 1191 Cincotta et al.

1 1 CORDLESS ILLUMINATION APPARATUS Inventors: Donald J. Cincotta, 7330 Brodiaea,

La .lolla, Calif. 92037; Harold J. Ko'pelke, 1511 Beryl, San Diego, Calif. 92109 Filed; 061. 27, 1972 Appl. No.: 301,326

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 168,637, Aug. 3, 1971, abandoned.

US. Cl 240/2 AD, 240/4, 240/106 (:11, 2 10/1065 1m. (:1. .5 F2lv 33/00 Field 1 Search 240 2 AD, 10.6 R, 1 240/106 cu, 10.65, 4

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Jan. 15, 1974 3,381,122 4/1968 Boyle 240/106 X 3,643,084 2/1972 Moore IMO/10.6 R X 3,307.026 2/1967 Kramer 240/4 3,393,312 7/1968 Dahl 240/l0.6 R X Primary ExaminerRichard L. Moses Attorney-Brown & Martin [57 ABSTRACT Illumination apparatus utilizing a removable and rechargable battery to eliminate the requirement for electrical outlets and to eliminate exposed electrical cords in providing illumination for pictures and other works of art. The apparatus includes a vertical mounting bracket and a source of illumination. A battery is received within the horizontal support for said source of illumination to maximize the volume available for batteries without detracting from the overall appearance of the apparatus. The source of illumination is angularly disposed to direct light downwardly and inwardly toward the vertical mounting surface and the picture or other work of art.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CORDLESS ILLUMINATION APPARATUS RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation in part of applicants previous application entitled"Cordless Illumination Apparatus" Ser. No. 168,637, filed Aug. 3, 197l, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In displaying paintings and other works of art it is common practice to utilize illumination to accent the picture from the surrounding wall surface, and to adequately illuminate the surface of the painting so that it may be completely viewed. Prior art apparatus for this purpose have been deficient in several respects.

Most prior art picture illuminating devices have created objectionable shadows or bright spots in the illumination of the work of art thereby detracting from the esthetic effect.

A further deficiency in prior art illumination apparatus is that the apparatus requires connection to a source of 110 volt AC electrical power. This requirement can result in the proliferation of power cords and the necessity for a large number of electrical outlets where the illumination of a plurality of pictures is required. Therefore, the use of these devices is limited to those situations where appearance of electrical cords is acceptable and where sufficient electrical outlets are available.

Battery powered illumination devices for pictures have not been practical due to the expense and frequent replacement of the batteries, and because it has not been possible to house a sufficient volume of batteries in an esthetically acceptable package that will operate the illumination apparatus for adequate periods of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An exemplary embodiment of the invention overcomes the deficiencies of prior art devices by providing a cordless illumination apparatus with a rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack is positioned within the horizontal support means that spaces the source of illumination from the vertical mounting surface so that the volume available for batteries is maximized to house a sufficient battery capacity to permit illumination of the art work for considerable periods of time.

The use of the horizontal support means for batteries positions the batteries in an area that is blocked from view by the lamp housing to minimize the tendency of the battery volume to make the lamp appear excessively bulky and unattractive. The source of illumination utilized with the invention is a plurality of incandescent lamps mounted in association with a curved reflector and received within a lamp housing. The lamp housing is positioned at the outer end of the horizontal support and battery housing member and angularly disposed at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees from the horizontal. This angular relationship, in conjunction with the spacing of the lamps, approximately five inches from the surface to be illuminated, results in a diffusion of the. illumination, so that the entire surface of an average picture is relatively evenly illuminated with light with no significant shadows or bright spots.

The efficiency of the apparatus is increased by the elimination of any defusing lens between the lamps and the surface tobe illuminated. The apparatus spacing and angular relationship eliminates the necessity for such a defusing lens thereby increasing the electrical and illumination efficiency of the apparatus so that the drain on the batteries may be minimized.

The battery is substantially rectangular and is slidably received in the rectangular opening in the side of the horizontal support member. An end plate is secured to the battery and mates with the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal support member to close the side opening and conform the appearance of the horizontal member on both the opening and non-opening ends.

It istherefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved cordless illumination apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved cordless illumination apparatus which provides increased battery space without appearing excessively bulky.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved cordless illumination apparatus in which the battery pack may be easily removed and replaced.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved cordless illumination apparatus that is simple in construction and low in cost.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved cordless illumination apparatus that is efficient in its use of battery power and in the production of illumination.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved cordless illumination apparatus that evenly distributes the illumination over the surface to be illuminated.

Still other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will be apparent from. a reading of the following detailed specification and the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the illumination apparatus mounted on a picture frame.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view partially cut away of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery pack and charger.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a cordless illumination apparatus 10 received on a picture frame 12 and secured thereto through brackets 20 and 22 utilizing one or more of the holes 24 as required. The horizontal support'and battery portion 14 serves to receive the battery pack 40 and to space the lamp housing 16 from the surface to be illuminated 18.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the horizontal support is shown as comprising vertical walls 30 and 32 and horizontal portions 34 and 36 defining a rectangular opening and recess. The battery pack 40 includes a rectangular configured portion 38 sized to be received in the opening in the horizontal support member. When the battery pack is installed in the apparatus as is illustrated in FIG. 1, end flange 42 closes the opening in the horizontal support member and produces an appearance substantially identical to the closed end of the horizontal support member. The [lamp housing 16 includes a curved upper surface 62 which extends downwardly to produce a downward and inward angular orientation for the reflector 66. The reflector directs the light from the lamps 74 and 68 through opening 64 and on to the surface to be illuminated 18. No diffusing member or lens is utilized in the opening 64 so as to maximize the light transmitted.

The electrical power is delivered from the battery pack 40 through electrical connector 44 and to electrical connector 46. Wires 60 transmit this power to the switch 70 and lamps 68 and 74. The switch 70, under the control of switch knob 72, connects or interupts the power to the lamps as desired. As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the flat battery pack may be made up of cylindrical batteries 80. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, these batteries comprise nickel cadmium batteries to provide for recharging. Recharging is accomplished by removing the battery pack from the horizontal support member and electrically connecting the recharger 50 to the electrical connector 44. Recharger 50 contains conventional charging circuitry which is connected to a 110 volt source of power by the line cord 52.

OPERATION In use, the apparatus of the invention may be secured to a vertical wall through the holes 24 by a suitable fastener such as a screw or nail. Alternatively, the appara tus may be secured in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 to the rear face of a picture frame or similar structure. After placement, the apparatus is turned on, through switch knob 72, and a continuous and evenly distributed illumination will fall on the surface 18. The wattage of the bulbs 68 and 74 may be relatively low while still providing adequate illumination, in that the positioning of the lamp housing and the elimination of a lens or diffusing window, permits maximum utilization of the illumination generated. The structure of the apparatus is such that the necessary battery volume is accomodated in a portion of the device which would otherwise be wasted space, and the positioning is such that much of the bulk of the batteries is hidden from view, thereby improving the appearance of the apparatus as installed.

After the apparatus has been in operation for a substantial period of time, it will become necessary to remove the battery pack 40 by grasping the end flange 42 and withdrawing the battery pack from the horizontal support member. The battery pack is then connected to the charger 50. The charger 50 is electrically connected to a source of alternating current to recharge the nickel cadmium batteries 80. During charging, if it is desirable to provide illumination of the surface 18, a supplemental battery pack may be inserted in the appar'atus so that substantially continuous illumination may be provided.

Having described our inventionwe now claim;

1. Cordless illumination apparatus for supporting and positioning a battery and a source of illumination in association with an area to be illuminated comprising:

horizontal support means for housing a battery pack and for supporting a source of illumination spaced from a vertical mounting surface,

a mounting bracket for securing said apparatus to a vertical surface, the outer end of said horizontal support meanssupporting a source of illumination comprising a lamp housing angularly disposed to direct light downwardly and inwardly towards said vertical surface,

said battery pack being removable and rechargeable,

said battery pack being substantially rectangular, and slidably receivable within said horizontal support means through one of the vertical sides of said horizontal support means,

said battery pack mounting an end plate that closes the side of said horizontal support when said battery pack is in the installed position,

whereby a vertical area may beilluminated without dependence on the proximity of electrical outlets and wherein the relatively large space available for a battery pack permits operation for sustained periods.

2. The cordless illumination apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:

said battery pack mounts detachable electrical connectors which cooperate with electrical connectors in said horizontal support portion to connect said battery pack to said source of illumination. 

1. Cordless illumination apparatus for supporting and positioning a battery and a source of illumination in association with an area to be illuminated comprising: horizontal support means for housing a battery pack and for supporting a source of illumination spaced from a vertical mounting surface, a mounting bracket for securing said apparatus to a vertical surface, the outer end of said horizontal support means supporting a source of illumination comprising a lamp housing angularly disposed to direct light downwardly and inwardly towards said vertical surface, said battery pack being removable and rechargeable, said battery pack being substantially rectangular, and slidably receivable within said horizontal support means through one of the vertical sides of said horizontal support means, said battery pack mounting an end plate that closes the side of said horizontal support when said battery pack is in the installed position, whereby a vertical area may be illuminated without dependence on the proximity of electrical outlets and wherein the relatively large space available for a battery pack permits operation for sustained periods.
 2. The cordless illumination apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: said battery pack mounts detachable electrical connectors which cooperate with electrical connectors in said horizontal support portion to connect said battery pack to said source of illumiNation. 